bellamy



Nov. 22, 1927.

J. l. BELLAMY ZONE METERING TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Oct l2, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,410

J. l. BELLAMY ZONE METERING 'TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Octz l2, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E um um unna Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,410

J. l. BELLAMY ZONE METERING TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed oct. 12, 1921 5 sheets-Sheet 5 Jnh IE Enemy Nov. 22, 1927. l 1,650,410

J. l. BELLAMY ZONE METERING TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Octv l2, 1921 5 SheetS-Sheet 4 In lll Nav. 22, 1927. 1 1,650,410

J. l. BELLAMY ZONE METERING TELEPHONE SYSTEMy Original Filed Oct. l2, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 y; y `E all SEO

PatentedY Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I. BELLAMY, OF BROOKIEIELD,V ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE-ASSIGNMENTS,

TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRICA INC.,.OF CliICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

ZONE METERING TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application led October l2, 1921, Serial No. 507,182. Renewed April 11, 1927.

The present invention relatesto zone metering telephone systems iii-general. but 1s concerned more particularly with zone metering telephone systems in which calls are extended through the medium oi automatic switches; and the principal object, briefly stated, is the provision ot new and improved circuit arrangements whereby a calling subscriber may be charged tor a conipletedcall accordingtoA the actuallocationot the oliice or exchange in which the called line terminates. the charge being" independent oit the number ot inter exchangev trunk lines engaged, in serial relation and independent oi' the routeby which the called subscriber is reached. l

Another objectis the provision of improved circuit arrangements whereby an added charge is made in accordance with the length of the couversationfaud in accordance with tliefinitial charge.

Another object is to accomplish the pur poses above set forth by means ot' apparatus and circuit arrangements which are located Wholly in the oilice in which the call originates.

Other objects have to do With the refinement ot the various circuits peculiar to a system otthis sort so as to malte them more eiheient and practical.

These objects, together with others which will not specifically be pointed out now, will be more :tully pointed out hereinafter, reference being had to `the accompanying drawings comprising Figs. L5, inclusive, which show by means ot the usual circuit diagrams sutlicient oi the apparatus employed in a system embodying the principles of the inveul'ion toenable the same to be understood.

.ln the drawings. Fig. '1 isa layout showinfi two paths. leading out from an oiliceon tirey left hand side ot' the sheet together with the various other ottlces which may be reached bv way o'l these two paths.

Figs. 2,"3, and 4 when placed in order Witli the` corresponding lines rin alignmentrepresent sutlicient of the apparatus used in the trunking layout shown in Fig. l, to enable the same to be understood.

Fig. 5, when placed on the right of Fig. 2, represents certain apparatus engaged in the connection when a different path from th.x or' 'nr-.ting exchange is taken.

ing' con.' partcuhirly 'to Fig. l7 the trunking'systeln, a part otl Which isl shown therein, is assumed to have an ultimate capacity ot 1,000,000 lines and may be used in a territory containinga large city and its suburbs. or possibly several large adjoining cities. The entire area is assumed to be divided into ten districts and when the system has reached its ultimate capacity there Will be ten main oliiccs of 10,000 lines in each district. The oiiices in the fourth and sixth districts only are indicated7 the oflice indicated by the reference character 0 being assumed to be in one ot the other districts which is on the opposite side ofthe net orl; from the sixth district. It' We assume that a call originates in the oliiee 0 and is intended for some subscriber in the fourth district, the calling of the first digit 4 will cause a district selector' in the originating otlice to raise its `Wipers to the desired level and pick out a trunli line leading to an office selector in the 44th office, which otiice isthc switching center for the fourth district. lt we assume that the second digit diailed is 5, thenthe oliice selector to which the connection has been extended raises its Wipers to the fifth level and selects an idle trunk line leading to the 45th ollice. The third digit dia-lied determines to which thousands group ot' lines inthe 45th oflice the call is going. It the third digit is 62 8, or 0 the call goes out to one ot the three suboliices which are associated With the 45th ollice. These subo'li fices7 as Well as the suboliices associated With the various other main offices of the system and which are denoted by the small circles, are assumed to have a capacity of 1,00() lines each. After having selected the proper thousands group by dialing the first three digits in the desired number the calling subscriber' dials the fourth digit to pick out a. particular hundreds group and the fifth and sixth digits to pick out a particular line which. terminates in that hundreds group.

If a call originates in the office 0 that is intended for some subscriber Whose line terminates in an otliee in the sixth district.y the calling oit' the. lirst digit causes a district selector in the originating otiice to raise its Wipers to the sixth level and select a trunk line leading to an oliice selector in the 66th oiiice, which otiice is the switching center for the sixth district. The calling of the re` maining digits causes` the switches to extend (ifi the connection to the desired office and finally to the desired line, in the usual manner, the trunking arrangement in the sixth district beingsimilar to the trunking arrangement inthe fourth district.

It-'will'be noted that there Vare a great many more oiiices in the fourth district than there are in the sixth. This is due to the fact that the fourth district is more nearly in the heart of the city while the sixth district provides telephone service for a section which is as yet more orless thinly populated. Referringnow to Figs. 2, 3, 4,fand 5,"the automatic switches shown'in Figs. 2, 3, and 5 are assumed to be located in the oliice O, Fig. 1; the automatic switches lF, G, and H shown in Fig. 4 are assumed to be located in the 44th oiiice, Fig. 1; and the remaining switches shown in Fig. 4 are assumed to be located in the 442nd subofiice, Fig. 1.

The'automatic substations A, Fig. 2, kand A Fig. 4, are ordinary automaticl substations having the usual talking, signaling, and impulse sending instrumentalities.

. The line switch C, Fig. 2, is mechanically of the well known 'rotary type in which the wipers have no normal position and move in a forward direction only. The line switch C', Fig. 4, which isdenotedby a dottedV rectangle is assumed to be-` identical with the line switch C.

The selectorD, Fig. 2, is mechanically of v the well known verticaland rotary typevand 'accordingly has its bank contacts arranged in horizontal rows or levels. The circuits of this Vswitch are shown complete and will The 'selector peater is used principally to avoidjthe neces-` sity of having three conductors 'in the asso ciated trunk line which extends Ato the next oilice.` The repeater E, Fig. 5, has fundamentally the same circuits as the repeater E, Fig. 3. The repeater denoted by the dotted rectangle H, is similar to the repeater E, having the various contacts and conductors omitted that are not essential in that case.

The rautomatic switch indicated lby lthe reference character P, Fig. 3, carrits'a single wiper 168, but is otherwise mechanically the sameas theeelector D, Fig. 2. The circuits of this switch, however, are such that it is directively controlledin both its vertical and rotary movements. The circuits of this switch are shown completeiand will be described fully hereinafter. s

The common impulsing switch I, Figs. 3 and 5, is mechanically similar to a well ksearch of an idle trunk line.

known rotary line switch in that its wiper has no normal position but moves in a forward direction only. The switch T, which is individual to the switch Q,.ismechanica1ly similar to the switchI. y l

The switch Q., Fig. 5, has one Wiper 294 which may be .advanced into engagement with any one of the ten contacts shown but does not have any secondary movement. The wiper is shown in normal position.

The system having been described in. general will now be described in connection with a detailed description of its operation. For this purpose it will be assumed that the subscriber at substation` A, Fig. 2, desires to obtain rconnection with the subscriber, at substation A, Fig. 4, `whose line is assumed to terminate in the 442nd otlice which is a sub` o'flice associatedwith the 44th office, Fig. 1.

Vhen the receiver is removed at the callingsubstation, a circuit is closed over the line conductors 11 and 12 for the line relay,

1.5 of the line switch C. Line relay 15, upon energizing, closes at armature 21 a circuit for Vin series, and at armature 20 connects `the test wiper 23 to a point in the'circuit between the switching relay 14 and the stepping inagnet 1G. From this point the operation depends upon whether the trunk line upon ing relay 14 is short circuited, and the step-` ping magnet 16 which interrupts its own circuit is operated in the manner of a buzzer to advance the switch wipers stepv by step in Inthe present case, however, lwe shall assume that the trunk line upon which the wipers of the line switch are standing is idle. That being the case, switching relay 14 is not short circuited andV stepping magnet 1G is not energized on account of the high resistance of switching relay 14. Switching relay 14, however, 'is Y energized and at armature 18 disconnectsY the test wiper 23 from the point betweenit-s own winding and that of stepping magnet 1G and connects it to the grounded private normal conductor 13. As a `further resultof the eneigifzation of Switching relay 14, it dis-V connects the line conductors 11 and 12 froln the winding of line relay 15 and ground, respectively, and extends them 'by way of armatures 17 and 19 and their working contacts, wipers 22 and 24, bank contacts 25 and 2i', trunk conductors 35 and 37,*'and armatures 51 and`54 and theirresting contacts Vto V'relay 39. Release relay 39,1ipon energizing,

connects up test wiper 63 at armature Iliff *mali* springs 57 close thus `have access to the selector l), the seized trunk line is maintained busy in the usual manner. A branch ot thisholding circuit extends by way ot private normal conductor 13 to multiple test contacts in the banks of the connector switches having access to the calling line, thereby guarding it against intrusicn in the usual manner.

The meter M which is connected from` battery to the private normal conductor i3 is not operated at this time owing to its inargmal adjustment. This meter is designed to be Voperated by V:so-called booster-battery impulses as will be explained more fully hereinafter. i y

The calling subscriber non` o; his calling device in accordance with the first digit 4 ot the desired numher, thereby pio ducing four interruptions in the circuit ot line relay S8 of the district selector l). As soon as line relay 3S deenergizes in response to the lirst of these interruptions, relay Ll0, which heretofore has been short circuited,` energizes in series with the release relay Si). Upon energizing, relay el() connects vertical magnet 58 in multiple with release relay 39 at armature 47. Vertical magnet .58,.however, is not energized at this time on account of the high resistance el relay 40. a further result ot the energization olf relay l0 it opens a point in the circuit of rotaryv magnet and prepares a circuit for stepping `relay 4l at armture 4:8. lfvlhenline relay 38 energizes following the .lirst interruption, it closes a direct Circuit orvslow acting release Vrelay 39 and Vertical mag net in multiple, at the sime time short eircuiting` relay 40. Relay 4:0, being short circuiled, slow to de energize and consequently is maintained energized throughout the series ot interruptions. Vertical magnet 58, upon energizing, raises the Wipers (l2-641, inclusive, opposite the lirst level of `bank contacts, whereupon the oil1 norcompleting the circuit ol stepping relay Ll-l. Stepping rela Lll. upon energizing,` closes point in the circuit ot rotary magnet (il) at armature and at armature 419 closes a locking circuit tor itself indei'iendent ot relay `l0. lNhen line relay 38 deenergizes in response tothe second interruption produced .in its circuit`v vertical magnet 5S denergizes on account of the high resistance of relay el() and is ener-1 giZed again when line relay 38 energizes. By the subsequent operation of Vertical inagnet 58, the Shaft and `wipers otlhe selector D are raised step by step until the latter stand opposite the desired level of bank con,- tacts which in this case is the 'lourtlu or the level in which tie trunk line compris ng' conductors Sil-85, inclusive, terminates. Alter line relay 3S has come to rest in an enei 'eed condition at the end 'ot the series oit interruptions, relay 4:0, being short circuited, linally deenergizes; opens the circuit of vert'. il magnet 58 at armaifurcflf'; and at the normally closed. contacts controlled by ari'nature 4;?? opens the initial circuit ot the stepping relay ll and clo? s a point in the circuit oi rotary magnet (l0. .lust as the armature ot vertical magnet comes lo rest, the contacts 59 are closed, thereby completing the circuit ot rotary magnet (il). lt may he explained at this point that the circuit ol the rotary magnet is held open hy the contacts 59 controlled by the armature oit that,

#tical magnet so as to allow the switch to become settled betore the rotary cnet energizes. Rotary .magnet 60, upon bring, advances the wipers Gil-64, in rive, into engagement with the" first set oi contacts in the level opposite which they are raised and at its interrupter contacts (il opens the circuit of stepping relay 4l* Step-- ping relay lll, upon deenergizing, opens another point in its circuit and prepares a circuit for switching relay 4t2 at armature fl-El and at arn'iature 50 opens the circuit of rotary magnet G0. Rotary magnet (30, upon deenerg'iZing,-y closes its interrupter contacts Gl airain.

` From this point the operation depends upon whether the trunk line terminating in the first set of contacts is busy or idle. ll it is busy, stepping relay 4l energizes again over the following circuit: from ground by way of the test contact with which test wiper G3 is in engagement, test wiper 63, armature 52 and its resting contact, armature la and `its working contact. interrupter contacts (Sl, oflnormal contacts 57, and stepping relay ll to battery. Stepping relay 4l, upon energizing, disconnects switching relay ,42 and closes a locking circuit for itself at armature 4l!) and at armature completes the circuit of rotary magnet 6() again. This alternate operation of the stepping relay i and rotary magnet continues as long as test wiper 6? engages grounded contacts. [n this case, we shall assume, that the trunl line comprising conductors 83H85, inclusive, is the one lirst found to be idle. That being the case, when the wipers ot the selector D arrive upon the bank contacts SMS2, inclusive, there is no .ground potential on test contact`8l and oonsequently stepping relay 41 does not energize With this condition existing, switching `relay 42 energizes over the following circuit: rom ground by way oi' release trunk conductor 36, switching relay a2, resting con tact oi' armature di) and said armature, iu-

" terrupter contacts 61, oft' normal contacts 57,

and stepping relay 41 to battery. Stepping relay 41, however, does not energize over this circuit on account of the relatively high resistance of switching relay 42. Switching relay 42, upon energizing, removes ground from armature 46 of release relay 39 at armature 53; disconnects test wiper 63 from the point between switching relay 42 and stepping relay 41 and connects it to ground by way of release trunk conductor 36 at armature 52, thus making the vseized trunk busy immediately; and at armatures 51 and 54 disconnects the line conductors 35 and 37 fromthe windings of line relay 38 and extends them by way o1 the working contacts ofthese armatures, wipers 62 and 64, bank contacts 80 and 82, trunk conductors 83 and 85, and the normally closed contacts controlledr by armatures '107 and 108 to the upper and lower windings olf line relay 101 of' y. at armature 111 closes the circuit of release.

the repeater vE. Line relay 101 now encrgizes over the calling subscribers loop and relay 102. Release relay 102, upon energizing prepares a circuit for relay 104 at armature v115 and places ground on release trunk conductor 84 at armature 114, thereby establishing the usual'liolding circuit for` the .switch D and the line switch C before the slow acting release relay 39 of selector D has had time to deenergize.

Returning now to the repeater E, as a still Vfurther result of the energization 'of release relay 102 it places ground on the conductor 129 at armature 116, thereby closing the eircuit of the lower vor polarizing winding of electro polarized relay 105. yThis winding` alone, however, consisting oi few turns of high resistance is not able to effectively renergize the relay. As a still iurtherresult Y of the energization of release relay 102, it

completes at armature' 113 a bridge across the trunk conductors 122 and 123 as follows: from conductor 123 by way ofthe working Contact o1 armature .112 and said armature, lower windingV of impedance 103, normally Y closed contacts controlled by armature 106,

upper winding of' electropolarizcd relay 105,

restingcontacts of armature `117 and said armature, and armature `113 and it-s workingl contact tof conductor 122. ln response to the closure ofl this bridge the line and release Vrelays of the oflice selector F, Fig. 4. ener-` gize and prepare the switch tor operation in the usual manner. Electropolarized relay y105, however, is not energized at this time owing to the 'tact that the 'current `flowing in either winding is in a direction opposite to that flowing in the other winding.

The calling subscriber now operates his calling device in accordance with thesecond digit 4 of the desired number, thereby producing a corresponding number of interruptions in the circuit of line relay 10,1, Each time line relay 101 deenergizes, it opensthe circuit ot the line relay ot the office `selector F at armature 112 and at armature 1111e- Vlfnovesmtlie short circuit from around relay 104. Relay 104 energizes immediately in series with release relay l102 and, being lshort circuited each time line relay 101 energizes, retains its armatures attracted throughout the series of interruptions. At armature 117 rela-V 104 Completes the bridge across trunk conductors 122 and `123 by a more direct path excluding the lowerwinding oi impedance 103 and the upper winding of relay 105.

Thisis the usual. expedient made use of inV order to obtain first class switch control; y

The oflice selector F, in responseto the four interruptions produced in the circuit of its line-relay, raises its wipers to the fourth level and rotates them in searchof anv idle trunk line leading to athousands selector in the44th ofiice. In the present ease, we shall assume that thetrunk line terminating in the thousands selector Gr is the first one found to be idle and consequentlyy the one selected. v That being the case, the line and release relays of the selector G energize and prepare the switch for opera-tion in the usual manner.

The calling subscriber may now operate ,A his calling device in accordance with the thirddigit 2 of the desired number, whereupon, the selector G is caused to raise its wipers to the second level and rotatethem in search of an idle trunk line leading to an idle hundreds selector in the desired thousands group. Assuming that the trunk line leading to theselector J, by way of the repeater H, is the first one found to be idle and consequent-ly the one selected, the line and release relays of the said repeater vimmediately energize and prepare the switch for operation, at the same time closing a bridge across the conductors of the trunk line leading to the incoming hundreds selector J in` selected, the line and release 'relays196 and 197 energize and prepare the ation in the usual manner. Y

The calling subscriber` now manipulates his calling device in accordance with the two remaining digits of the desired number. whereupon the connector K is operated to bring its wipers ,into engagement with the contacts in which the desired line terminates.

switch for opertime.

Ringing current is now intermittently sent out in a manner not shown to ring the bridged bell at the called substation A'.

Before going further. the operation of the repeater E together with the operation of its associated equipment will be explained more in detail. It will be remembered that relay 104 is maintained energized throughout each series of interruptions and that it falls back at the end of each series of interruptions. Relay 104, upon energizing, in response to the first digit dialled after the connection is extended to the repeater E which is the second digit of the' called number, closes at armature 118 a circuit for the upper winding of the marginally adjusted delay 140 of the switch P. This winding, however, is

composed of a small number of turns of high resistance and consequently the relay is energized just enough to bring armature 146 into engagement with its working contact but not enough to operate reither armature 145 or armature 147. It will bernoted that armature 146 is connected with the grounded conductor 129 and `consequently the lower winding of relay 140 is short cireuited atthis As a further resultof the energization of relay 104 it closes at armature 124 a point in the circuit of vertical magnet 161 of the switch P. Each time line relay 101 energzes following an interruption produced in its circuit'it closes a circuit for vertical magnet 161 as follows: from ground by way of armature 111 and its working Contact, working contact of armature 124 and said armature, conductor 134, armature V147 and its resting contact, and vertical magnet 161 to battery. By the operation of the vertical magnet the switch shaft and wiper 163 are raised step by step until the latter stands opposite the fourth level of bank contacts. At the end of the series of interruptions, relay 104 deenergizes; opens the circuit of `vertical magnet 161 at armature 124; and at armature 118 opens the initial circuit of the upper winding of relay 140, thereby removing the short, circuit from around the lower winding of the said relay 140. Relay 140 now pulls all the way up, the lower winding being composed of a large number of turns having a relatively low resistance. Upon operating fully, relay 140 transfers the impulsing circuit from the vertical to the rotary magnet at armature 147 and at armature 145 transfers the energizing circuit from its own upper winding to the upper winding of relay 141. t

lil/hen relay 104 energizes 1n responseto the calling of the next digit 2, it prepares a circuit for the rotary magnet 162 at armature 124 and at armature 118 closes the circuit of the upper winding of relay 141, which upper winding is similar to the upper winding of relay 140. Relay ingly energized just suiliciently to bring 1.41 is acc rd! armature 149 into engagement with its working contact'y but not sufiiciently to' operate armature 148 or armature 150. By the operation of the rotary magnet 162 which is energized following each interruption in the circuit ot line relay 101, the wiper 163 is advanced into engagement with the `second i Contact iu the `fourth level. At the end or the series of interruptions, relay 104 deenergizes and at armature 118 removes the short circiut from Aaround the lower winding of relay 141, whereupon relay 141 completely energizes; opens another point inthe initial circuit of its upper winding al1-armature 148; and at armature 150 disconnects the iur pulsing conductor 184 from rotary magnet 150 and connects it to resistance 165.

The repeater E functions as hereinbeforc described to repeat the impulses to the switches ahead during the calling of the remaining digits in the desired number but does not cause any further movement of the wiper 163 of the switch Pf When the called subscriber responds by removing his receiver, the source of intermittent ringing current is removed from his line and the back bridge relay 195 of the connector K is connected up as shown. Back bridge relay 195, upon energizing, rethe incoming trunk conductors as yregards their connection with the upper and lower winding of line relay 196, thereby causing a reversal in the current flowing in the loop extending back to the repeater H. The repeater Irl in a well known manner now reverses the direction of the current flowing in the loop extending back to the repeater E.

in the repeater lilV the two windings of electro-polarized relay 105 which heretofore have opposed each other now assist each other in energizing the said relay 105. Upon energizing, relay 105 places a shunt around armature 117 and its resting contactat armature 119, places a shunt around armature 112 and its working contact at armature 121, and. at arrmtture 120 closes the circuit of reW versing relay 100. lrleversing relay 100, upon energizing, reverses the conductors 88 and as regards their connection with the upper and lower windings Vof relay 101 at armatures 10T7and 108. This reversal of current flow in these conductors may be used in certain cases to operate supervisory signals and the like.

The calling and called subscribers may .now converse with each other as desired, the talking circuits being outlined by the heavy conductors. v

As a further result of the energization of reversing relay 100, it places a ground potential 'on starting conductor 172 at armature 185. As soon as ground is placed upon starting conductor 172, relay 171 energizes and closes the circuit of relay 170 at armature 174. Relay 170, upon energizing, opens lli) the circuit of relay 171 at armature 173. Relay 171, being. slow acting retains its armatures attracted .for an interval. Upon deenergizing, relay 171 opens the circuit of relay 170 at armature 174. Relay 170, bei-ng slow acting also, retains its armature attracted for an interval. When relay 170 falls back it closes the circuit of relay 171 at armature 173 whereupon relay 171 energizes and closes the circuit of relay 170 at armature 174. This cycle of operation is repeated over and over as long as there is aground potential on conductor 172. It will be noted that each time relay 171 energizes it closes a circiut for stepping magnet 176 at armature 175; Stepping magnet 176, upon energizing, causes the pawl of its armature to engage another notch on the drive wheel of the wiper 177. lVheu magnet 176 deenergizes the wiperf17 7 is rotated `in a clockwise direction and comes to rest in engagement with the next contact.

. Wiper 177 continues to advance step by step without producing any particular el'lect until it comes into engagement with the contact in which the common pick up conductor 133 terminates, whereupon pick up relay 143 i, of the switch P is energized over the following circuit: from ground by way of wiper 177, pick upconductor 133, working contact of armature 110 and said armature, normally closed contacts vcontrolled by armature 157, and relayv 143 to battery. Pick up relay 143, upon energizing, closes a locking circuit for 'itself and opens its initial energizing circuit at armature 157; connects up the wiper 163 at armature 156; and at armature 158 connects the common .f impulse conductor 17 8V with relay 144 through the resting contact of armature 155 and said armature. i As soon aswiper 177 is stepped into engagement with the next contact, ground is placed upon the common impulsing conductor 178, thereby closing a circuit tor relay 144. Relay 144, upon energizing, disconnects release trunk conductor 84 from ground and con-.

nects it to so called booster battery through resistance 160, at armature 159. The various holding relays rwhich are connected Yfrom release trunk conductor 84 to battery obviousl y vdo not deenergize at this time but are held even more lirmly than before and the magnet of the marginally adjusted meter Mfrassociated with private normal conductor 13, Fig. 2, energizes at this time on account of the increased low of current caused by the so called booster battery being connected in series with the regular exchange battery as described The magnet of meterAM, upon energizing, advances the number wheels to i register the. impulse Returning now to the impulse switch I,

when wiper 177 is advanced into engagement with the next contact the circuit of re?.

lay 144 is opened, whereupon the said relay 144 deenergizes and replaces ground upon release trunk conductor 84. The magnet of. the meter M now reti-acts its armature. As a further result of wiper 177 being advanced into engagement with the next contact, ground is placed upon the common stop conductor 181. Since this conductor is not connected in any way with the wiper 163 this does not produce any cll'ect at this time. lVhcn wiper 177 is advanced into engagement' with the next contact ground is again placed upon the common impulse lead 178 whereupon relay 144 is energized again; so called booster battery is again placed upon,

release trunk conductor 84; and the meter M -f"= is operated again. The next step of wiper All 177 brings it intolengagement with the con;

tact associated with the common stop conductor 182 and the succeedin'gstep brings it into engagement with a contact into which conductor 178v is in ultipled. This alternate operation of placing ground 'rst upon the common impulse conductor 178v and -then Vupon a! stop conductor continues .until ground has been placed upon impulse con- *d ductor` 178 tive'times and consequently until the meter M has been-operated a like nu`mber of times. When wiper 177 is advanced into engagement withthe contact associated with, the fifth stop conductor 185, stop relay 142 of thel switch P is energized over thefollowing circuit: from Vground by way of wiper 177, stop conductor 185, the second bank contact in the fourth 'level with which wiper 163 is'now in engagement, wiper 163,

working contact of armature 156 and said f particular release trunk conductor so as to operate a subscribers meter, a switch such :s the selector D rotates over a set of contacts in which that release trunk conductor is multipled. The result ist-hat some current Hows through the switching relay ol the hunting switch. The current is limited, however, by 'the resistance coil which between the release trunk conductor and booster battery, and the stilly adjusted switching relay does not have time to encrgizebetore it is completely short circuited by the pulling up of the steppingrelay after which the vwipers are stepped onto the nextl set ot' bank contacts and the short circuit is `removed from around the switching relay. If'the rei is a satellite dependent merely upon the :cone in which the called subscribei"s line terminates.

Wle shall assume now that the subscriber at substation desires to call a subscriber ing to the district selector l) is the lirst one lound to be idle and. consequently the one selected, the line and release relays lil and 30 energize in the usual manner and peri'orm the usual functions. p

The calling subscriber now operates his calling; device in accordance with thev lirst digit 6 ol the desired number, wl ereupon .the selectorD raises its wipers (S2-64, inclusive, opposite the sixth level oit bank contacts 7" and rotates them in search of an idle trunk line. Assuming that the trunk line terminating in bank contacts 70-72, inclusive, is the lirst one 'found to be idle and .consequently'the one selected, the connection is extended through by way ot the trunk line comprising conductors 73, 74, and 7.5 to the repeater lll, Fig. 5, whereupon line and release relays 216 and 2,17 ot the repeater E energize and the latter places ground upon release trunk conductor 7 4 at armature 227, thereby establishing the usual holding circuit. .As a further result ot the energization oit' release relay 217 it completes a bridge across the trunk conductors 200 and 201 at armature 226, whereupon an otlice selector in the sixty sixth oliice, Fig. 1, .to which this trunk line extends prepares itself lor operation in the usual manner. As a still 'further result of the energization ot release relay 217, ground is placed upon conductor 248 at armature 228, thereby closing a circuit for the lower or polarizing whirl-V ing oit' the electropolarized relay 210. Filet tropolarized relay 219, however, being similar to electropolarizaed relay 105 .ot the rc1 peater E, Fig. 3, does not energize at this time. toi' the reasons previously given 'lor electropolarixed relay 105.` n

The calling subscriber new manipulates his calling device in accordance with the next digit 5 in the desired number whereupon the line relay 216 opens-the bridge across conductors 200 and20l vlive times momentarily.v Relay 218, being'similar to relay 104 ot the repeater E, is maintained energized throughout the series otinterruptions @and serves to complete the bridge across conductors 200 and 201 by a more direct path so as to improve the impulsing circuit. 1

ln response to the impulses repeated to it,

the office selector in the sixty sixth oliice raises its wipersy to the lit'th level and selects an idle trunkleading to a thousands selector in the sixty fifth ol'lice. Y

In response to the calling of the third digit 7 in the desired number, the thousands selector in the sixty fifth olice to which the connection has been extended raises its wipers to the seventh level and rotates them in search of an idle hundreds selector in the. 657th suboltice. In response to the calling oit the next digit, the hundreds selector to which the connection has been extended ra'ses its wipers to the desiredlcvel and selects an idle conductor in the. desired hundreds group, and in response to the calling ot the remaining two digits the connector to which the connection has been extended brings its wipers into engagement with the contacts in which the desired line termi-V connection is extended to the repeater E', or

the second digit in the desired number, places ground upon the conductor 213 at armature 230, thereby closing a circuit for the upper j winding of the marginally adjusted relay 251 of the switch Q. Relay 251, energizes at this time just sutlici'ently to bring armature 262 into engagement with its working Vcontact but not sufficiently to operate armature 261. As a further result ot' the energization Vof relay 218 itprepares a` circuit for the operating magnet 291 of the switch Q, at armature 232. Each time line relay 216 energizes' following an interruption produced in itscircuit it closes the following circuit :7. trom ground by way of armature 233 and vits worlring contact, armature 232and its working` contact, conductor 241, arma-ture 265 and its resting contact, and operating magnet 291 to battery. 'which receives live impulses atthis time the wiper 29-/1 is brought into engagement with the l'itth bank contact 296. At the endof the series o'lf impulses, relay 218 deenergizes;

By the operatil'rn oit magnet 291 opens the circuit et' operating magnet 291 at armature .232; and opens at armature 230 the initial energizing circuit for the upper Winding ot' relay 251, thereby removing the short Vcircuit from around the f lower Winding, whereupon the said relay 151 energizes fully and transfers conductor 243 from its own upper winding to theV upper winding of'relay 263. 'As a further result ofthe deenergization of relay 218, it completes at armature 230 the following circuit: from ground'by way ot armature 230 and its resting contact,

conductor 240, off-normal contacts 292, and release magnet 290 to battery. `A 'branch of this circuit extends by Way of armature 293 of release magnet2`90 and its resting contact, wiper 294, bank contact 296, resting contact of armature 286 and said armature, normally closed contacts controlled by armature 276, and relay 256 to battery. Upon energizing, relay 256 closes a locking circuit for itself and disconnects vitself from bank contact 296 at armature 276; cone nects upY the seventh bank contact 298 to relay 257 at armature 277; connects up the the second bank contact 295 with relay 258 at armature 278; disconnects the sixth bank contact 297 from relay 259 and connects it to relay 258 at armature 27 9; and at armature 275 connects the individual stop conductor 25() to common stop conductor 191 which is the stop conduct-or associated `with the eleventh zone in Which the 65th main otlice is lon cated. Release magnet 290, upon energizing, disconnects Wiper 294 at armature 293 and by means of a mechanical arrangement (not shown) releases the Wiper 294 allowing it to return to normal position, the circuit of re-v lease magnet 29() being opened atoitnotmal contacts 292 as soon as the wiper 294 reaches normal position.

When relay 218 energizes iu response to y the calling of the next digit 7 ott the desired number, it prepares a circuit for operating magnet 291 o1' the sWitchQ at armature 232 and at armature 23() closes a circuitiior the upper winding ot" the marginally adjusted relay 252. Relay 252 energizes at this time just suiiiciently to bring armature 264 into engagement with its Working contact but not suiiiciently to operate eithernarmature 263 or armature 265. By the operation of the operating magnet 291 which is energized each time line relay 216 energizes, wiper 294 is brought into engagement with the seventh bank contact 298 Which at this time is connected with relay 257. Relay 218, upon deenergizing, at the end otl the series oi' interruptions opens the circuit of the operating nianget 291 at armature 232 and at armature 230 opens theinitial energizing circuit et relay 252 whereupon the said relay energizesA fully; opening its own circuit at armature 263 and transferring the operating circuit from magnet 291 to resistance 343 at armature 265. As a further result of the deenergifif.. ion of relay 218 it closes at armature 230 and its resting contact the previously traced circuit for release magnet 290, a branch ot which circuit extends by Way of wiper 294, bank contact 298, armature 277 and its Working contact, normally closed contacts. controlled by armature 281,` and relay 257 to battery. elay 257, upon energizing. locks itself to conductor 248 and disconnects itselifrom bank contact 298 at armature 281.` and at armature 280 disconnects the individual stop conductor 250 fromthe common stop conductor 191 and connects it Withthe common stop conductor 19() Which is the stop Conductor yassociated `with the tenth zone in the current flow is reversed in the conductors 200 and 201 of the trunk line associated with the repeater' E', whereupon the electropolarized relay 219 energizes and closes a circuit for reversing relay 215 at armature 231.

4Reversing relay 215, upon energizing, re-

verses the currentfflow in the `trunk conductors 73 and 75 in the f usual manner and closes a locking circuit for itself at armature 22() in series with armature 267 and its resting contact; closes a multiple circuit for release relay 217 at armature 224 in series with the resting contact of armature 266 and the said armature; places ground upon conductor 172 at armature 225 thereby closing a starting circuit :for the impulsing machine I; and at armature 223 connects up the common pick up conductor 133 With pick up relay 254 ot the switch Q. The Wiper 177 ot the common impulsing machine I is now advanced step by step in a manner described hereinbefore. As soon as Wiper 177 arrives upon the bank contact in which conductor 133 terminates the following circuit is closed: from ground'by Way of Wiper 177, conductor 133, Working contact of armature 223 and said armature, normally closed contacts controlled by armature 272, and relay 254 to battery.` Relay 254, upon energizing, locks itself to conductor 248 and disconnects itself from pick up conductor 133 at armature 272, connects up the individual stop conductor 250 with stop relay 253 at armature 271; and at armature 335 connects relay 255 With the common impulse conductor 178 by 'wayof the resting contact of armature 317 and said armature. As soon as Wiper 177 comes into engagementwith the next contact, ground is placed upon the common impulse conductor 17 8 thereby closing a circuit for relay 255. Relay 255, upon energizing, disconnects release trunk conductor 74 from ground and connects it to so called booster battery through resistance 273 at armature 274, thereby operating the magnet of the meter M in a manner hcreinbetore described. Upon the next step .of the wiper y 177 ,Y ground is removed from conductor 178 e meterslVI :continues to be operated; upon tcach alternate vvsftep.ther-cot' -111ntil.tlie l said Wiperi 'has .come into/engagement .with-fthe tenth.

s top .conductor190 andlthe said .meter M- .has been .-operated-iten. timesnWherrlWiper i177.Y l. arrivesupon .the contact `in which conductora i 7190 termin-'ateswthe .following ycire-uit is.

. 1250;k LWorliring Contact :fofu armature l 271 and f. y*269 gextends .the .commonipickx up @conductor i133 i to .thei individual. pick. ,up` conductor. 328

dat armature\ 268;,opensi .the locking circuit of"reversingre1ayl215 at armature 267.; re- 1 r moves release relay. 217 from. under. control `lof reversing,-relay;` 215 at, armature 266.; re-

alt-moves, grounds'from .conductor..325. atA arma-,L lture 315; connectsy stop conductor-320 with.. stop conductor'i250. at armature 316; .and at armature 317 disconnects .the vcominon.. im-

ypulse conductor 178 froinrelay 255 androne ,wnects it tothe...individual.impulse conductor- 327. f' Withy .stop .relay 253 energized. the i further movement 4.ofi-the. vviper .177'. doesA not.,Y

1 cause anyfurther opemtionfot.y the. meter M for. the time being,A the initial Vcharge for the is in .Inostinstauces desirable to charge a.calling.si1bscriber;.inot1only 1n accordance 40., call .having already/been. made.

tended but alsoyin accordancelivitl the time 45. iwhich( the..conversation consumes. It will A noivbe shown show.thecallingv subscriber is vassessed anadditionalcharge atregularly oci curing.;iinterizalsruntil..thei conversation is completed. f i The wiperf177, vwhich. continues f505. tofadvance, upon arriuingithenext time, up-`V y:on the..contactinwhichfthe pick .up con..

ductorl 133 .termnatesl closes. .the "following c circuit: 4troni.,groundby .wayfofyvipery 177,

conductor 133, .Working .contactfof armature l 55. 223and said armaturey'armatuirfe268and its Working contact,V normally .closed contacts controlled byA armature--336,.fi1elay344,. and. V.resistanc'e '339. tobatteryf' `Relayf 344,I upon i energizing, locks itself to conductor 24L8fand- ,the common impulse conductor [1781 thereby .closingfthe ,following circuiti from ground h vby .Wayfotl vvviper;` 177, impulse conductor` 178, .armature .317.and. its Working. contact-, conductor. 327, Workingcontact'of armature337 and said4 armature, and stepping magnet ,.340 toA battery.` -Steppingmagnet 3l0,'.fupon .cnergizingucauses thepa'wlof `its associated armature. to engage anothernotch on the ratchet` .Wheel `which drives theY Wipersi341 and 342.1,..As'soonas the yviper'177 takes another 4stcp,.ground isdisconnccted from Y :conductor178 vand connected to. conductor closed: from ground by Way of wiper 177,..

l i151y conductor-190, 'Working i contact-of, armature 280Mand! said.armaturegoresting contactl oi4 ./.iarinature282- andsaid. armature,l.conductor 181 instead, whereupon steppingmagnet 34() contacts.. .As Wiper .'177fco`ntinues1to ad- A .Vancestepping 'magnet 340 is operatednpon saidarmature,l normally, closed contacts con- 20 l-trolledyfbyiarmature. v269.andi-.stop relay 253 ft0..battery. Relay 1253,. upon energizingV locksv itselfA to rconductor 248i .anddisconnects ,itselt from stopy fconductor .250. at armature .arrivesnponl the bank .contact .in vwhieh conductor 190 term-inateSQthe following circuit `previously. traced to the individual stop 901Y .cuit is closed: from ground by Way of a cira conductor 250 and thence .by wayof the 1 .Working contact of. armature 316 and the said. armature, condiicto1'f326,.and resistance 339 to battery. vThe-.closure of this .circuit results inthe/@short .circuiting'ot relay 34A vvhieli deenergizes. Relay v3114. upon V,deeneizgizing, disconnects wiper342 at armature 338; opens a pointinthef-circnitfofistep- Jin(lr maenet340. at armature 337' `and at armature 33.6. disconnects. locking conductor Y -248 Aand connects nppick up conductor. 328 again.- ,The further movement of Wiperv 177 vv.does vnot causethewipers 341and 342, of the switch T tobe'advanccd until the saidwipcr y Y A l *I -177 has completed this half revolution and .I `W1th.the:distanceV overwhichzthe. callvis eX- h as. started upon the next half at which time ground ywill again befplaced upon con-v Iductor 133'with'the result that relay344-en ergizesand connects; up stepping magnet 340v again.. The same cycle of operation is re'- `peated over/and over as flongas the couver`V sation. continues, thc'vvipersA 341and 342 Vtakingten stepseforl each half revolutionof the Wiper 177 of Athe Switch I. Y

The .operation of, stepping magnet 340 continues as .described andthe vWipers 341 and. 342continue to .advance Without,V pro-Y .vanced ,not when the stepping magnet 340 energi-zes butV upon the deenergizationthereot and consequently when .the said Wiper 342 arrives upon the bankcontact in which conductor329 terminates stepping magnet 340 v1s not energized-andthere isno ground potental upon conductor 327. Whenthe `anv desired length of time.

ground potential is again placed upon conductor 327 to energize stepping magnet 340 for the next step, the said magnet attracts `its armature in the usual manner. A branch of the circuit for energizing magnet 340 extends by way of the working contact ot' armature 338 and said arn'lature, wiper 342, conductor 329, and relay 255 to battery. Relay 255, upon energizing, disconnects ground from release trunk conductor 74 and connects booster battery thereto, whereupon the magnet or' the meter M is operated again. W'hen the ground potential is re moved from conductor 327 relay 255 deenergizes and magnet 340 advances the wipers 341 and 342 into engagement with the next set of contacts. Relay 255, upon deenergizing, connects ground to release trunk conductor 74 again and disconnects booster battery therefrom, whereupon the magnet oi the meter M deenergizes. As long as the conversation continues, the wipers ot' the switch T continue to advancestep by step and the meter M is operated in the manner described once duringevery half revolution of the said wipers.

From the above it will be seen that, since the calling subscribers meter is operated once during each half revolution ot the wipers of the time switch T, und since the rate at which the wipe-rs ot `the time switch T are advanced (or, in other words, the number of steps taken by the said wipers tor each cycle of operation of the impulse machine I) is roportionate to the zone in which the cal ed subscribers line is located` the intervals between successive additional charges are inversely proportionate to the zone in which the called line is located.

In order to insure that the meter ot theI calling subscriber is operated at the correct intervals, the impulsing relays associated with the impulse machine I are so adjusted that the wiper 177 advances at a denite unchanging speed. This speed should be low enough to allow time for the satisfactory operation ot the subscribers meters such as the meter M, and should be high enough to complete the initial charge for a call quickly so as not to tie up the trunk lines and the calling subscribers telephone for an undue length of time in case the conversation is very short. At any rate, after the speed of the wiper 177 has been fixed the number of contacts in the bank of the time switch T may be so regulated that the initial charge, whatever it may be, will be fully repeated in lVhen the conversation terminates the calling and called subscribers replace their receivers. When the receiver is replaced at the called subst-ation the current flow in the trunk line comprising conductors 200 and 201 is reversed back to normal whereupon electropolarized relay 219 and reversing relay 215 deenergize. `Reversing relay 215, upon deenergizing, reverses the current flow in the conductors 73 and 75 back to normal. This, however, does not have any particular function at this time.

When the receiver is replaced at the calling substation, the circuit of line relay 216 is opened and the said relay, upon deenergizing, opens the bridge across the conductors 200 and 201 at its lower pair of contacts, whereupon the connection extending to the distant exchange is released in the usual manner. As a further result of the deenergization ot line relay 216 it opens the circuit of release relay 217 at armature 233 whereupon relay 218 energizes in series with release relay 217 and at armature 232 places the relatively low resistance 343 in multiple with the latter relay 217. Release relay 217 now deenergizes on account of being shunted by resistance 343 and at armature 229 opens the circuit of relay 218, whereupon that relay also deenergizes. As a further result of the deenergization of release relay 217, ground is removed from release trunk conductor 74 at armature 227 whereupon the line switch C and the selector D are restored to normal. As a still further result of the deenergization ot relay 217 it removes ground from the locking conductor 248 at armature 228, whereupon relays 251, 252, 253, 254, 257. and 258 immediately deenergize. Relay 344 of the switch T deenergizes also in case that relay is locked up at this time. In case the vwipers of the switch T are not. at the normal position shown in the drawings, ,which they most likely will not be, relay 253, upon deenergizing, completes at armature 315 the following circuit: from ground by way of armature 315 and its resting contact, conductor 325 wiper 341, interrupter contacts ot stepping magnet 340, and said stepping magnet 340 to battery. The wipers 341 and 342 are now advanced step by step by stepping magnet 340, which interrupts its own circuit at this time, until they come into the position shown in the drawing, at which time the wiper 341 breaks the circuit by passing off the last contact in which conductor 325 is multipled. The entire connection is now released and the apparatus shown is ready tor another call.

Referring now again to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the switch P is provided with conductors 355, 356, 129, 357, 358, and 359. These conductors, it may be said, correspond to the conductors 325, 326, 248, 327 328` and 329. respectively, of the switch Q., Fig. 5, and are assumed to extend to a time switch identical with the time switch T associated with the switch Q. the time switch being elim inated in this instance so as not to encumber the drawings unnecessarily. It is obvious that in case it is so desired the time switches such as the time switch T may be eliminated III) in' -whi'ch-j case -lthe initial'charge Mis l the only one madetor a call'.

Referring't -now y`particularly to Figs.V 1 and 5, it will be pointed vout just how the equipment shown in Fig. operates to assess an equitable `charge each vtime it is used in v extending a connection from the originating exchange O, Fig. 1.1 to some exchange located in the sixth district. i f .l y

' The vcalling of the irst digit '(3 asJ before pointed out', causes a district selector to pick out anidletrunk line leading to the 66th mainoiiice, which trunk line has a repeater associated withyit Such asV the, repeater E',

Fig. 5. vSince there are only two main offices `in the `sixth district, the iifth and the sixth,

the second-digit called in this case will be either a `five or asiX. Assuming rthat the repeater E isthe onethrough whichthe connection isextended, vthecalling of `the second digit tive causes the relay l256 of the switch Qito energize in a manner hereinbefore pointed'out with the result that the individual stop conductor 25() is connected with thecommon stop 'conductor191 which is the stop conductor associated with the 11th vzone which isthe zone in which the sixty` lifthmain office `is located. Ithas beitore been pointed out that if the vthird digit called is seven the wiper 2911 of the switch Q will lland upon the seventhv contact 298 with `the result that `relay 257 energizes and shifts the individual stop conductor 250 fromthe stop `conductor 191 associated with the 11th zone to the stop conductor 190 associated with `the 10th Zone which is the Zone in which the 657th subofice is located.

`the wiper 294 would have come into'engagementwith the second bank contact 295 or the sixth bank Contact I297 andin-either ease relay 258 would have energized and shifted the individual stop conductor 250 to the stop conductor '192 associatedV with the 12th zone i which is the zone in -which the 652nd and l656th subofiices `are located. It will become y apparent also froman'eXaminat-ion of the the th main ofHceis located.

drawings that it' the `third digit l'called in this case is any other than 2, 6, or Z the wiper .294- comesinto engagement with a bank conresult that relay 259 energizes; connects the individualistop conductor 259 with the comy It th-e Vthird Adigit 'y v instead of being seven had been two or sixV mjon stop conductor190 associatedwith the 10th zone which is ,the zone in which the 66th 9th bank contact 29.9. If the third digit called is ninerelay260 energizes and shifts theV individual stop conductor 250 finto engagement with the common stop conductor 191 which is associated withvthe 11th zone which is the. zone in which the 669th suboiiee is located. If the third` digit called is'any digit, other than nine the wiper 2951 Vis brought into engagement with a bank contact with whichl no relay is associatedy at this time and consequentlyy the individual stop conductor r250 remains connected with the. stop conductor 190 associated with `the 10thl zone which, as before stated, is the zone in which the.66th main ofiice and the 661st suboice are located. l a

It is to be understood that in case other main and suboiices are added in this district other` groups of relays maybe added-to the switch Q. and that they may be wired in substantially the same manner as those shown, so as to assess the calling subscriber an equitable charge. The relay equipment Q,ho'w ever, is best .adaptedifor usewith such trunk `lines as extend todistricts having only a few oilices, as the 6th district, and the trunk lines which extend to the heavily populated dis-Y tricts arepreferably equipped as shown in Fig. 3. y Y l It will be noted that thearm'atures of the line relays throughout the .drawings do `not have the usual Lresting contactsA through which the change over4 relayer both the change over relay and the /operatino magnets have been controlledformerly andB that not only the Arelease relay but also the operating.,

magnetsvv and the, change over Vrelay as well are controlled by a simple pair of contacts on the line relay. This makes unnecessary the former practice of dividing the impulsing cycle `between 'the resting and working` contacts andy consequently allows the switch to be adjusted to operate under more ,severe line conditions. l

The 'eaturesof the invention having been described and ascertained will now be.

pointed out inthe appended claims.

' What is claimedis:

1. AIn a telephone system, a plurality of exchanges, means for connecting a callin vsubscriber in one exchange with :called sub-` scribers in the other exchanges, toll assessing Inachanism in the first exchangeA operative to predetermine a vparticular charge aslsoon as a calling subscriber calls a digitwhich routes the call to a particular one of ,therother exchanges, ,and means for .decreasing the presoV determined charge in casca subsequent ldigitV l routes `the `call to a diiferent exchange.

- 2. In astelephone systenna pluralitylof exchanges,mea ns for connectiim.r a calling s'ubscriber in one exchange with `called subscribers in the other exchanges, toll assessing mechanism in the first exchange operative to predetermine a particular charge as soon as a calling subscriber calls a digit which routes the callv to a particular one of the other exchanges, and means for either decreasing or increasing the predetermined charge in case a subsequent digit routes the call to another exchange which is a lesser or greater distance from the originating exchange thany the first exchange through which vthe call was routed. l

3. In an automatic telephone system divided into a plurality of zones by imaginary circles concentric witha central exchange, a switching point located in a distant zone, means whereby a calling subscriber in the central exchange can extend a connection by way of said switching point to called subscribers in the zone in which the switching point is located and alsoto called subscribers in closer and more distant zones, and mech- Y anism responsive to the impulses constituting a plurality of digits in any particular called number for assessing a charge against the calling subscriber which is proportionate to the zone in which the called subscriber is located.

4. In an automatic telephone system divided into a plurality of zones by imaginary circles concentric with a central exchange, a switching point located in a distant zone, means whereby a calling subscriber in the central exchange can extend a connection by way of said switching point to called sub-.

scribers in the zone in which the switching point is located and also to called subscribers in closer and more distant zones, means operated when the digit of a called number is called which routes the call to said switching point for predetermining a certain charge to be assessed against the calling subscriber, and means responsive to a subsequent digit for either decreasing or increasing such charge depending on whether the called subscriber is located in a closer or a more distant zone.

5. In an automatic telephone system comprising a plurality of exchanges, means for setting up a connection between lines in different exchanges, an automatic switch in the exchange in which the calling line terminates Vhaving a primary and secondary movement,

means for operating said switch in its primary movement in response to the calling of one digit in the called number, and for operating the said switch in its secondary movement in response to the calling of the following digit, and means controlled by the setting of the said switch for determining the charge to be assessed for the call.

6. In an automatic telephone system comprising a plurality of exchanges, means for setting up connections vbetween lines terminating in said exchanges, a device located in the exchange in which the calling line terminates for assessing an initial charge at the beginning of conversation varying in accordance with the distance between the exchange in which the calling line terminates and the exchange in which the called line terminates, and means for assessing additional charges for each connection at intervals which are inversely proportionate to the initial charges.

7. `In an automatic telephone system divided into a plurality of zones by imaginary circles concentric with a central exchange, a switching point located in a distant zone, means whereby a calling subscriber in the central exchange can extend a connection by wa of said switching point to called subscribers in the zone in which the switching point is located and also to called subscribers in closer and more distant zones, mechanism v responsive to the impulses constituting a plu-` rality of digits in any particular called number for assessing a charge against the calling subscriber which is proportionate to the zone in which the called subscriber is located and mechanism operative after the connection is established for assessing an elapsed time charge against the calling subscriber at intervals which are inversely proportionate to the zone in which the called subscriber is located.

8. In a measured service telephone system, means for setting up connect-ions of' different values, a charge assessing control device, means for advancing said device during the time a connection is established and at different rates for each connection, the rate being substantially proportionate to` the value of the connection, and means including said device for assessing the calling subscriber a fixed charge each time said device moves a definite pre-determined amount.

9. In a measured service telephone system, means for setting upy connections of different values, a step by step charge assessing control device, means for advancing said device at rates that are substantially proportionate tothe values of the different connections, and means including said device for assessing the calling subscriber a fixed charge each time said device takes a pre-determined number of steps.

10. In a measured service telephone system, a trunk line over which calls of different values may be made, a charge assessing lcontrol device individual thereto, means for rates that are substantially proportionateto the value of the calls, and vmeans including said device for assessing the calling sub-k scriber a iixed charge each time said device takes a-pre-determined number' oil steps.r

12. In a meter control apparatus, a meter control conductor, an automatic switch for intermittently grounding said'. conductor,

- pick up and. stop 'relays `for closing and opening said conductor, respectively, a. pickup wire connected between said pick up relay and a Contactin the bank of said' switch, a plurality of stop conductors, and

. a second automatic switch` for connecting the stop relay with any one of said stop conductors.

13. In a meter control apparatus,fa con- Y trol conductor, `an` automatic step by step switch for delivering impulses to vsaid con- Y ductor, a plurality ot stop wires successively banks. f

grounded in the travel.otsaidwswitchl by a Wiper thereof, astoprelay for opening said conductor, and a second automatic switch for connecting said stoprelay with any one of said stop conductors. t

14. In a meter control apparatus, two automatic step by step switches, banks for said switches permanently wired together, means for setting thefirst switchunder subscriber control, Vmeans fory automatically stepping thesecond switch, aine/ter control circuit excludingwthe first switch and-controlled `by Vthe second switch, a relay for determiningfthe duration of thecontrol ot said circuitlexercised by the second switch, and a circuit for said relay including one of the permanent connections ,between said 15. In' a meter vcontrol apparatus, two automatic step by step switches, banks for Vsaid switches permanently vwired together,

means for setting the irst switchunder subscribervcontrol, means orautomatically stepping the second switch, aineter control circuitcontrolled by the second switch independent of the first, and means for determining the duration of the control controlled `jointly by said switches over one of said per-k manent bank connections. Y l

16. In 'a meter control apparatus, two automatic step by step'switches, banks for said switches permanently wired together,

means for setting the first switch 'undersubscriber control, ymeans for' automatically stepping the second switch',- a meter control circuit, 'a relay tor intermittently closinY `said circuit, an impulse wire leading to sait y relay froml said second switch, a pick up relay controlled by, said second switch for closingV said impulse wire, a. stop relay for opening said impulse' wire, and a circuit for said stop Y is located.

relay including oneJ of said `permanent bank connections. i r p f 17.,.In a meter controlV apparatus, two automatic step by step switches, banks for said switches permanently wired .together,

meansfor setting the first switchunder sub` scriber control,V means. for 4automatically stepping the second switch,'a meterV control circuit, a relay for closing said circuit, va

conductor over which the ,secondv switch; transmits impulses to said lirelay, pickup and stop relays for determining the Vnum-v .ber of impulses transmitted, a circuit for one-.of said last mentioned rrelays controlledv g VVby theV second` switch independent 'of'nthe irst, and aycircuit for the other relay-controlled by said switches jointly over `saint permanent,banklconnections.y Y

'18. In a measured service telephone sysf tem, an-impulse conductor, akcontactmaking device, `a plurality of impulse govern` ing vconductors connected up successively byv said device, an impulsing` circuit, means con-A trolled by-'one ofksaid impulsegoverning conductors for connecting saidimpulse conductor with said impulsing circuit,rmeans controlled by another of saidimpulse govf erning conductors for subsequently disconnecting said impulse conductor from said impulsing circuit, and selecting means for choosing 4one of the two'conductorslast mentioned, the other being a iixed pre-:determined one.v f f i 19. :In aY telephone system .divided into f zones'irom the standpoint of a particular exchange, a group of terminals, oneffor each exchange, means located in each vexchange responding to a plurality of ydigits .in a called number for selecting the terminal corresponding to the called exchange;and l means controlled through the selected ter minal for assessing varying charges accord.- ing to the zone in which t-hefcalled exchange Y 20; Ina telephonesystem,a plurality. of

exchanges an automatic switch in reach .exchange having a group of terminals, Vone for `each exchange, other' automatic switches, `the said first `switch vresponding `to a-plurality of digitsof'a callednumberforlselecting terminal corresponding to' 1 the `called exchange, meansV controlled i through the selected terminal 'for assessing a charge accordingto the zone in which thecalled `exchange .is located, and the other switches Valso responding to thesame respective digits to extend theconnection. A

21. In 'a zone metering' telephone system,

a plurality 'of exchanges, a selecting-device fill spending to the called exchange, and circuit arrangements and apparatus by means of which each selecting device controls the assessing of initial and time lapse charges depending upon the exchanges between which the calls are extended.

22. In a Zone metering telephone system, a plurality of exchanges, a selecting device in each exchange having a plurality of contacts, one for each of the other exchanges,`

means in each respective exchange operable when calls are set up to select the particular contact' corresponding to the called exchange, and circuit arrangements and apparatus by means of which each selecting device controls the assessing oi initial and time lapse charges in accordance with the exchanges between which the calls are extended.

23. In a measured service telephone system, a calling line having a meter, a trunk line lor extending calls from said calling line to called lines located in diiierent zones, a charge assessing control device individual to said trunk line, a relay in said device 'tor controlling the operation of said meter, a first automatic switch for variably operating said relay in accordance with the called zone lor assessing an initial charge, a second automatic switch for operating said relay in accordance with the duration of a call lor assessing a time charge, means 'tor transferring the control of said relay from said first switch to said second switch, and automatic switching means directively controlled during the setting up ot a call, for determining the operation oit said transferring means.

24. In a measured service telephone system, a calling line having a meter, a trunk line for extending calls from said calling line to called lines located in different Zones, a charge assessing control device individual to said trunk line, a first means in said device or operating said meter a plurality of times in accordance with the called zone for assessing an initial charge, a second means for operating said meter in accordance with the duration of a call for assessing a time charge, means for transferring the control ot said meter from said first means to said second means, and means directively controlled during the setting up of a call, for determining the operation oit said transfer'- ring means.

25. In a measured service telephone system, a calling line provided with a meter, a trunk line for extending calls from said calling line to called lines located in different zones, a charge assessing control device individual to said trunk line, impulsing means in said. device for transmitting operating impulses to said meter, and means diii-ctively controlled from the calling line during the setting up of acall for controlling said impulsing means to first transmit impulses to said meter in accordance with the Zone l'or assessing an initial charge, and to then transmit impulses to said meter in accordance with. the duration of the call for assessing a time charge.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of October, A. D. 1921.

JOHN I. BELLAMY. 

